NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great driver, cook and good quality tents. Complete service before and after the Safari.
We did the 5 day Safari to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. Despite it was already dry for the season, we saw the big 5 devided over the three parks. Our driver at first didn't inform us too much but he knew a lot and how more we asked, how more he talked and guided us. He was a really good driver and spotted a lot of animals. Our cook prepared lovely meals. The National Parks were beautiful and we had a lot of time to visit them all properly. Payment by card was easy and the included extra hotel overnight before and after the Safari was really welcome.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We didn't want to leave Ruaha, and part of the reason was because of our amazing tour guides!
I did a 5 day Safari with Happy World Safaris and it genuinely was the experience of a lifetime. I travelled to Dar es Salaam in mid-June 2018 and was looking for safari options all around Tanzania. After being recommended Happy World by someone on TripAdvisor, I decided to write to them to get some more information on it. I spoke directly to Joseph, who was very helpful in answering questions I had, and which parks would be best suited for me. We decided that Ruaha was the way to go. After giving him a rough budget, we built our own itinerary with his help. We were picked up at 7am from our hotel in Dar and drove all the way to Ruaha (~12 hour drive) - although it seems long, it was actually wonderful! We got to travel through the country, which is an experience in itself. Although the jeep is not very new, we were extremely comfortable! Joseph (our guide) and our driver (Alpha) were extremely friendly, helpful, funny and entertaining throughout the journey. Ruaha was beautiful! We saw a plethora of animals (even wild dogs, which were highly unexpected), and Joseph's/Alpha's knowledge was very useful. We had an all-inclusive package, with breakfast, lunch and dinner being provided throughout the safari. We had dietary requirements which Joseph eagerly accommodated us with. It was a wonderful experience and highly recommend Happy World! Thank you again, Joseph and Alpha, for a marvellous trip!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Guide Kakasii is an enthusiastic and skillful safari professional who made our experience fabulous!
When my 78 year old father wanted to check off a safari on his bucket list, and my mother refused to go, I stepped in to help. I researched exhaustively, learning as many of safari ins and outs as possible. I networked with people whose views I respect, including an American living in Tanzania working for a mission. I had a Skype session with Brenda at Tanzania Choice Safaris, and ultimately chose them with Kakasii as our guide for a 10-day custom safari. In a nutshell: BEST. DECISION. EVER.
Guide Kakasii and his wife Brenda at Tanzania Choice Safaris are top notch people offering a spectacular safari experience. Are they right for you? It depends. Do you want a personable, knowlegeable, and experienced guide who will tailor your trip to your desires? Do you want to get up and at 'em in the morning and make each day count? Do you mind getting of the main roads and driving longer to achieve a better experience? Do you want your experience cut short or diminished because of some company-mandated mileage and/or diesel limits? (Ask! Because most do this!). Do you want good value in your lodging and food choices?
When you hear Kakasii exclaim "I love my job" in his accented English, you know right away it's genuine and his enthusiasm is infectious. He's a relationship builder and you will discover everywhere you go that he is liked and respected. Those relationships matter. Guides who've built relationships talk with other guides. If one has spotted a leopard in a tree, he'll tip off his friends. Kakasii takes advantage of experience, intuition, and tips from other professionals to bring you to the most wildlife in the time you have allotted for the trip. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, because it is, after all, wildlife. But in our 9 night safari we saw everything. We started with the Big 5 and surged right past that to see things like leopard tortoise, serval cat, mongoose, dikdiks, elands. My father stated elephants as a favorite and we spent intimate time with dozens of elephants in 2 different parks. My nephew said lions was his wish and we encountered many lions in 3 different parks, many very close up, including a dramatic standoff between a lioness with 3 cute small cubs and 3 other lionesses. But maybe best of all, on our Ngorongoro Crater day Kakasii suggested we get up very early and get underway before most other safari groups. It was a brisk 45 degree morning. There were buffalo right outside our lodge. We proceeded down to the crater bottom and I could tell Kakasii was on a mission. 20 minutes later we rolled to a stop and in front of us was a single black rhino-- the last animal on our list and maybe the most emotional. Almost brought tears to my eyes. We watched it for maybe 25 minutes before it slipped out of sight into a slight gully 300 yards away. Trip made right there.
In addition to the flora and fauna of Tanzania, Kakasii also can add whatever cultural experiences you wish. We visited a Masaii village where my son and nephew participated in a welcome dance before we toured the village. Want to bring home fresh Tanzanian coffee? Kakasii knows a coffee farm where you can get 1 Kg of beans of your choice for a modest 250 TZ Shillings (about $9). Already bought all of the souvenirs you need? You don't need to stop at any souvenir stands like the other drivers will force you to do.
If you are truly interested in making what is likely a once in a lifetime safari trip the best experience it can be, then you need to speak with Tanzania Choice Safaris before you book with some other company. Tell them Mike from Iowa sent you.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Once in a lifetime!
A special trip for a special occasion. The Fika team was able to translate our family’s wishes into a schedule that fitted us all. Game drives, sampling the diverse countryside, action and relaxation, all in one program. Seeing the big 5 is easy. Seeing Kenya made the trip exceed our expectations!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Visit Tanzania - with Lets view Tanzania
Luxury Africa Safari, Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Tarangire National Park, Maasai Mara
Our safari tour designer provided absolutely professional and first-class service. Every booking and guide, driver and staff person we met were exemplary, and the suggestions they made for us were fantastic. As first-time travelers to Africa, we had many questions, and our agent responded promptly and in detail to all our questions. She and her partner met with us in person not once but twice - that level of service is something we have not encountered before. Our guide and driver was one of the most knowledgeable and friendly tour staff we have ever met - we were sad to leave him. We cannot recommend this safari tour company highly enough! Our expectations were high, and they were exceeded!
The most enjoyable or memorable parts of the trip:
The selection of properties and the level of service at them was exemplary. The animal sightings were continuous, and guide's knowledge helped us really gain the most from our time on drives.
If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
We wish we could have spent more time there! Domestic Tourism in Tanzania is a big country, and even though we had an amazing experience, we know there's more to this place than can be experienced in few weeks.
Great short break to Amboseli National Park
The communications pre and post trip were succinct and sufficiently informative to avoid confusion. Silvester was present at both the pick up and drop off to answer questions and to take feedback.
The tour delivered everything on the trip notes and more. The driver Johnson was informative, good company and flexible in approach. In addition to driving and guiding he conveyed an enthusiasm and knowledge of the park, wildlife and birds. He recommended an amendment to the itinerary on day 2 in order to venture further in to the park and this allowed me to see a greater variety of birds as well as a pride of lions.
I would have no hesitation in booking again with this company and would ask them to price match against similar tours - if they don't have the same advertised tour - they would be open to tailor made trips.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent organisation of a multi stop safari and beach holiday in Tanzania
Their booking and administrative staff (Sona) were very organised, they gave us lots of holiday property options and remained connected even while on safari. The driver of our 4x4, Kazungo was very experienced, safe and explained everything really well and showed us a wide variety of animals and fauna.
Excellent organisation of a multi stop safari and beach holiday in Tanzania
Their booking and administrative staff (Sona) were very organised, they gave us lots of holiday property options and remained connected even while on safari. The driver of our 4x4, Kazungo was very experienced, safe and explained everything really well and showed us a wide variety of animals and fauna.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If I could give it 10 stars I would!
No words can adequately describe the overall experience!
I booked this trip early 2018 with Kathi from African Welcome Safaris. She was professional, responsive and super friendly. She answered my 50,000 questions quickly and thoroughly and she handled all of the logistics beautifully.
The safari itself was an unforgettable experience. Selati Camp was out of this world. The staff paid such close attention to every possible detail. Ashleigh, the property manager, was so professional and kind. Keegan and Donald were our guide / tracker duo and they were AMAZING! SO knowledgeable and fun to spend hours each day with as we tracked game on our drives. The house staff (Lucy, Chef Dick, etc) were one in a million.
There were literally surprises around every corner! Expect unexpected experiences pulled together by the staff literally took our breath away (not going to say what they are to avoid ruining any surprises!). And there were wildlife surprises around every corner - from rounding the corner on our drive to go shopping to stumble upon a group of giraffe, to finding an elusive pair of lions wandering across the road en route to the airport on our departure day.
Like I said, 10 stars out of 5. Must book! I will be going back!
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari
We had a great safari with KAMar Safaris which covered 3 Tanzanian's national parks in 5 days (Udzungwa, Ruaha and Mikumi). The guide, Henry, was very helpful, and very safety oriented. We had a very good communication with Sylvia on almost all the trip (two of three accommodation places have Wi-Fi). I appreciated the flexibility of the KAMar Safaris team when we set the trip.